Dual-disk seed meter for multi-variety seed planting

ABSTRACT

A dual-disk seed meter for a planter may include a housing defining a first seed chamber configured to receive first seeds of a first seed type and a second seed chamber configured to receive second seeds of a second seed type. The seed meter may also include a first seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the first seeds from the first seed chamber, a second seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the second seeds from the second seed chamber, and a drive assembly configured to simultaneously rotate the first and second seed disks. In addition, the seed meter may include a seed deflector movable relative to the first seed disk and/or the second seed disk to control which of the seed types is discharged from the housing based on a selected seed type to be delivered by the seed meter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to row-crop planters orseeders and, more particularly, to a dual-disk seed meter for use with aplanter for performing multi-variety planting operations as well asrelated systems and methods utilizing the disclosed dual-disk seedmeter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern farming practices strive to increase yields of agriculturalfields. Technological advances in the area of planting implements orplanters allow for better agronomic characteristics at the time ofplanting, such as providing more accurate seed depth, improveduniformity of seed depth across the planter, and improved accuracy ofin-row seed spacing. However, a single field can have performanceinconsistencies between different areas of the field. That is because afield can have a wide variety of soil types and management zones, suchas irrigated and non-irrigated zones in different areas. To address thisissue, seed companies have developed multiple varieties of each of theirseed product types, with the different varieties offering improvedperformance characteristics for different types of soil and managementpractices.

In this regard, efforts have been made to plant multiple varieties of aparticular seed product type in different areas of fields with differentsoil types or management zones. For example, planters have beendeveloped that include separate bulk fill hoppers for different seedvarieties and that require the reservoir for each seed meter becompletely cleaned out or planted out before a different seed varietycan be delivered to the seed meters. However, it is often quitedifficult to determine when a given seed meter has been completelyemptied of seeds to allow a new seed type to be delivered to the meter.Alternatively, planters have been developed that allow for planting oftwo different seed varieties within each row by including two separateand distinct seed meters at every row unit. Unfortunately, the inclusionof two separate and distinct seed meters at each row unit significantlyincreases the cost and complexity of the associated planter.

Accordingly, an improved seed meter that allows for more efficient andaccurate switching between seed varieties or types when performing aplanting operation would be welcomed in the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a dual-diskseed meter for a planter. The seed meter may include a housing defininga first seed chamber configured to receive a plurality of first seeds ofa first seed type and a second seed chamber configured to receive aplurality of second seeds of a second seed type. The seed meter may alsoinclude a first seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey thefirst seeds from the first seed chamber, a second seed disk rotatablewithin the housing to convey the second seeds from the second seedchamber, and a drive assembly configured to simultaneously rotate thefirst and second seed disks relative to the housing. In addition, theseed meter may include a seed deflector movable relative to at least onethe first seed disk or the second seed disk to control which of thefirst and second seed types is discharged from the housing based on aselected seed type to be delivered by the seed meter.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a systemfor switching between seed types during a planting operation. The systemmay include a seed meter having a housing defining a first seed chamberconfigured to receive a plurality of first seeds of a first seed typeand a second seed chamber configured to receive a plurality of secondseeds of a second seed type. The seed meter may also include a firstseed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the first seeds fromthe first seed chamber and a second seed disk rotatable within thehousing to convey the second seeds from the second seed chamber. Thesystem may also include a seed deflector positioned within the housingand movable relative to at least one the first seed disk or the secondseed disk and a controller configured to control movement of the seeddeflector within the housing based on a selected seed type to bedischarged from the seed meter. When the selected seed type is the firstseed type, the controller is configured to move the seed deflector to afirst position such that the first seeds remain coupled to the firstseed disk as the first seeds are conveyed past the seed deflector withrotation of the first seed disk. When the selected seed type is thesecond seed type, the controller is configured to move the seeddeflector to a second position such that the first seeds conveyedtowards the seed deflector with rotation of the first seed disk contactthe seed deflector and fall back down into the first seed chamber.

In a further aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a methodfor switching between seed types during a planting operation. The methodmay include rotating first and second seed disks within a housing of aseed meter, wherein the housing defines a first seed chamber configuredto receive a plurality of first seeds of a first seed type and a secondseed chamber configured to receive a plurality of second seeds of asecond seed type. The first seed disk is rotated to convey the firstseeds from the first seed chamber and the second seed disk is rotated toconvey the second seeds from the second seed chamber. The method mayalso include positioning at least one seed deflector within the housingsuch that the first seeds remain coupled to the first seed disk fordischarge from the seed meter and the second seeds contact the at leastone seed deflector and fall back down into the second seed chamber.Additionally, the method may include adjusting the position of the atleast one seed deflector within the housing when switching from thefirst seed type to the second seed type such that the second seedsremain coupled to the second seed disk for discharge from the seed meterand the first seeds contact the at least one seed deflector and backdown into the first seed chamber.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a planter inaccordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a row unit suitablefor use with a planter in accordance with aspects of the present subjectmatter;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional view of a dual-disk seedmeter of the row unit shown in FIG. 2 taken about line 3-3;

FIG. 4 illustrates another schematic, cross-sectional view of thedual-disk seed meter of the row unit shown in FIG. 2 taken about line4-4;

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the cross-sectional view of thedual-disk seed meter shown in FIG. 3, particularly illustrating oneembodiment of a seed deflector located at a first position relative tothe associated seed disks of the seed meter for allowing seeds of afirst seed type to be discharged from the meter;

FIG. 6 illustrates the same portion of the cross-sectional view of thedual-disk seed meter shown in FIG. 5, particularly illustrating the seeddeflector located at a second position relative to the associated seeddisks of the seed meter for allowing seeds of a second seed type to bedischarged from the meter;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a seed deflector suitable foruse within the disclosed dual-disk seed meter in accordance with aspectsof the present subject matter, particularly illustrating the seeddeflector located at a first position relative to the associated seeddisks of the seed meter for allowing seeds of a first seed type to bedischarged from the meter;

FIG. 8 illustrates another view of the seed deflector shown in FIG. 7,particularly illustrating the seed deflector located at a secondposition relative to the associated seed disks of the seed meter forallowing seeds of a second seed type to be discharged from the meter;

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of a dual-disk seed meterincluding two separate seed deflectors in accordance with aspects of thepresent subject matter, particularly illustrating the seed deflectorslocated at suitable positions relative to the associated seed disks ofthe seed meter for allowing seeds of a first seed type to be dischargedfrom the meter;

FIG. 10 illustrates another view of the seed deflectors shown in FIG. 9,particularly illustrating the seed deflectors located at suitablepositions relative to the associated seed disks of the seed meter forallowing seeds of a second seed type to be discharged from the meter;

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another embodiment of a dual-disk seed meterincluding separate seed deflectors provided in association with eachdisk in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter,particularly illustrating the seed deflectors located at suitablepositions relative to the associated seed disks of the seed meter forallowing seeds of a first seed type to be discharged from the meter;

FIG. 12 illustrates another view of the seed deflectors shown in FIG.11, particularly illustrating the seed deflectors located at suitablepositions relative to the associated seed disks of the seed meter forallowing seeds of a second seed type to be discharged from the meter;and

FIG. 13 illustrates an example view of one embodiment of a prescriptionmap that may be used for controlling the operation of the discloseddual-disk seed meter to allow switching between seed types during theperformance of a planting operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to a dual-disk seedmeter that allows for absolute and instantaneous switching of seed typesbeing planted (e.g., during a single planting pass) without requiringeither multiple seed meters at every row unit or emptying or plantingout of a first seed type before switching to a different seed type.Specifically, in several embodiments, the seed meter may include anouter housing and first and second seed disks positioned within thehousing. The first seed disk may be configured to convey seeds of afirst seed type from a first seed chamber defined in the housing towardsa seed discharge outlet of the seed meter. Similarly, the second seeddisk may be configured to convey seeds of a second seed type from asecond seed chamber defined in the housing towards the seed dischargeoutlet of the seed meter.

Additionally, the disclosed seed meter may also include one or more seeddeflectors configured to be positioned relative to the seed disks inorder to regulate or control which seed type is actually delivered tothe seed discharge outlet for subsequent discharge from the seed meter.Specifically, when it is desired to plant seeds of the first seed type,the seed deflector(s) may be positioned within the housing so as toallow the seeds conveyed by the first seed disk to pass by the seeddeflector(s) for delivery to the seed discharge outlet while preventingthe seeds conveyed by the second seed disk from passing by the seeddeflector(s) (e.g., by knocking the seeds of the second seed type off ofthe second seed disk). Similarly, when it is desired to plant seeds ofthe second seed type, the seed deflector(s) may be positioned within thehousing so as to allow the seeds conveyed by the second seed disk topass by the seed deflector(s) for delivery to the seed discharge outletwhile preventing the seeds conveyed by the first seed disk from passingby the seed deflector(s) (e.g., by knocking the seeds of the first seedtype off of the first seed disk). As a result, by adjusting the positionof the seed deflector(s) relative to the seed disks, the seed type beingplanted via the seed meter can be instantaneously and automaticallyswitched.

It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the presentsubject matter is also directed to a system and associated method forswitching between seed types during the performance of a plantingoperation. For example, in one embodiment, the system may include a seedmeter configured in accordance with the disclosed provided herein and acontroller configured to regulate the position of the seed deflector(s)of the seed meter to ensure that a desired or selected seed type isbeing discharged from the seed meter. In such an embodiment, thecontroller may be configured to automatically adjust the position of theseed deflector(s) relative to the seed disks to absolutely andinstantaneously switch between seed types as a planting operation isbeing performed within a field.

Referring now to drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of oneembodiment of a planting implement or planter 20 in accordance withaspects of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 1, the planter20 may include a laterally extending toolbar or frame assembly 22connected at its middle to a forwardly extending tow bar 24 to allow theplanter 20 to be towed by a work vehicle (not shown), such as anagricultural tractor, in a direction of travel (e.g., as indicated byarrow 26). The frame assembly 22 may generally be configured to supporta plurality of seed planting units (or row units) 28. As is generallyunderstood, each row unit 28 may be configured to deposit seeds at adesired depth beneath the soil surface and at a desired seed spacing asthe planter 20 is being towed by the work vehicle, thereby establishingrows of planted seeds. In some embodiments, the bulk of the seeds to beplanted may be stored in one or more seed tanks 30. Thus, as seeds areplanted by the row units 28, a pneumatic distribution system maydistribute additional seeds from the seed tanks 30 to the individual rowunits 28. Additionally, as will be described below, each row unit 28 mayalso include one or more individual seed hoppers for locally storingseeds at the row unit 28.

It should be appreciated that, for purposes of illustration, only aportion of the row units 28 of the planter 20 have been shown in FIG. 1.In general, the planter 20 may include any number of row units 28, suchas 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, or 36 row units. In addition, it should beappreciated that the lateral spacing between row units 28 may beselected based on the type of crop being planted. For example, the rowunits 28 may be spaced approximately 30 inches from one another forplanting corn, and approximately 15 inches from one another for plantingsoybeans.

It should also be appreciated that the configuration of the planter 20described above and shown in FIG. 1 is provided only to place thepresent subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should beappreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable toany manner of planter configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of one embodiment of a row unit 28is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.As shown, the row unit 28 includes a linkage assembly 40 configured tomount the row unit 28 to the toolbar or frame assembly 22 of the planter20. As shown in FIG. 2, the row unit 28 also includes a furrow openingassembly 42, a furrow closing assembly 44, and a press wheel 46. Ingeneral, the furrow opening assembly 42 may include a gauge wheel (notshown) operatively connected to a frame 50 of the row unit 28 via asupport arm 52. Additionally, the opening assembly 42 may also includeone or more opening disks 54 configured to excavate a furrow, or trench,in the soil. As is generally understood, the gauge wheel may beconfigured to engage the surface of the field, with the height of theopening disk(s) 54 being adjusted with respect to the position of thegauge wheel to set the desired depth of the furrow being excavated.Moreover, as shown, the furrow closing assembly 44 may include a closingdisk(s) 56 configured to close the furrow after seeds have beendeposited into the furrow. The press wheel 46 may then be configured toroll over the closed furrow to firm the soil over the seed and promotefavorable seed-to-soil contact.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the row unit 28 may include one ormore seed hoppers 58, 60 and, optionally, a granular chemical producthopper 62 supported on the frame 50. In general, the seed hopper(s) 58,60 may be configured to store seeds to be gravitationally depositedwithin the furrow as the row unit 28 moves over and across the field.For instance, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter,the row unit 28 may include a first seed hopper 58 configured to storeseeds of a first seed type and a second hopper 60 configured to storeseeds of a second seed type.

Moreover, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, therow unit 28 may include a dual-disk seed meter 100 provided in operativeassociation with the seed hopper(s) 58, 60. In general, the seed meter100 may be configured to uniformly release seeds received from the seedhopper(s) 58, 60 for deposit within the furrow. For instance, as will bedescribed below, the seed meter 100 may be coupled to a suitable vacuumsource 64 (e.g., a blower powered by a motor and associated tubing orhoses) configured to generate a vacuum or negative pressure thatattaches the seeds to rotating seed disks of the seed meter 100, whichcontrol the rate at which the seeds are output from the seed meter 100to an associated seed tube 66. As shown in FIG. 2, the seed tube 66 mayextend vertically between the seed meter 100 and the ground tofacilitate delivery of the seeds output from the seed meter 100 to thefurrow.

It should be appreciated that the configuration of the row unit 28described above and shown in FIG. 2 is provided only to place thepresent subject matter in an exemplary field of use. Thus, it should beappreciated that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable toany manner of seed planting unit configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, cross-sectional, schematic views of oneembodiment of the dual-disk seed meter 100 shown in FIG. 2 areillustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter,particularly illustrating an example meter configuration for providingabsolute and instantaneous switching between seed types being planted(e.g., during a single planting pass). Specifically, FIG. 3 illustratesa cross-sectional, schematic view of the seed meter 100 taken about thevertically oriented section line 3-3 shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, FIG.4 illustrates a cross-sectional, schematic view of the seed meter 100taken about the horizontally oriented section line 4-4 shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seed meter 100 may generally include anouter housing 102 and a pair of seed disks 104, 106 positioned withinthe housing 102, such as a first seed disk 104 and a second seed disk106. The seed disks 104, 106 may generally be rotatable within thehousing 102 about an axis of rotation 108. In several embodiments, theseed disks 102, 104 may be spaced apart laterally or axially fromopposed sidewalls of the housing 102 along the axis of rotation 108 suchthat opposed seed chambers 110, 112 are defined within the housing 102.For example, as shown in FIGS. 3, and 4, the first seed disk 104 may bespaced apart axially or laterally from an adjacent first sidewall 114 ofthe housing 102 such that a first seed chamber 110 is defined betweenthe first sidewall 114 and the first seed disk 104. Similarly, thesecond seed disk 106 may be spaced apart axially or laterally from anadjacent second sidewall 116 of the housing 102 such that a second seedchamber 112 is defined between the second sidewall 116 and the secondseed disk 106. In several embodiments, each seed chamber 110, 112 may beconfigured to receive seeds, such as seeds of differing seeds types. Forexample, in one embodiment, the seed chambers 110, 112 may receive seedsof a common plant type but different varieties or types for planting indifferent variety zones of an agricultural field defined at least inpart by characteristics relating to soil type and/or management type.Specifically, as shown in FIG, 3, in one embodiment, the first seedchamber 110 may be configured to receive a plurality of seeds 118 of afirst seed type while the second seed chamber 112 may be configured toreceive a plurality of seeds 120 of a second seed type.

Although the seeds 118, 120 contained within the opposed seed chambers110, 112 will generally be described herein as corresponding todifferent seed “types,” it should be appreciated that the description ofthe different types includes different varieties or hybrids. In otherwords, the different types of seeds may include not only differentvarieties of the same plant species, but also different seed products.In this regard, different seed products can include seeds of differentspecies as well as coated and uncoated seeds, such as insecticide coatedand non-insecticide coated seeds. The different seed products can alsoinclude refuge in a bag seed and non-refuge in a bag seed,plant-parasite resistant seed and non-plant-parasite resistant seed,such as cyst nematodes resistant seeds and non-cyst nematodes resistantseeds, herbicide-tolerant seed and non-herbicide tolerant seed, or otherdifferent products.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seed disks 104, 106 mayalso be spaced apart from each other along the axis of rotation 108 suchthat a vacuum chamber 122 is defined directly between the first andsecond seed disks 104, 106. In such an embodiment, a vacuum port orinlet 124 may be defined through a portion of the housing 106 (e.g.,through a bottom wall 126 of the housing 106) to allow the vacuumchamber 122 to be provided in flow communication with a suitable vacuumsource 64 (e.g., (e.g., a blower powered by a motor and associatedtubing or hoses). As a result, a vacuum or negative pressure may begenerated within the vacuum chamber 122 that allows the seeds 118, 120to be drawn into and held against seed pockets and/or cavities 128(FIGS. 5 and 6) defined through each seed disk 104, 106, therebypermitting the seeds 110, 112 to be rotatably conveyed through thehousing 102 for subsequent release from the seed disks 104, 106 within adischarge section 130 (FIG. 4) of the housing 106. For example, as thefirst seed disk 104 is rotated within the housing 106, the vacuumapplied against a vacuum chamber-side face 132 of the first seed disk104 may result in the seeds 118 in the first seed chamber 110 beingsucked or drawn into the seed cavities 128 defined along the opposedseed-side face 134 of the disk 104 to allow the seeds 118 to be carriedby the first seed disk 104 towards the discharge section 130 of thehousing 102. Similarly, as the second seed disk 106 is rotated withinthe housing 102, the vacuum applied against a vacuum chamber-side face136 of the second seed disk 106 may result in the seeds 120 in thesecond seed chamber 112 being sucked or drawn into the seed cavities 128defined along the opposed seed-side face 138 of the seed disk 106 toallow the seeds 120 to be carried by the seed disk 106 towards thedischarge section 130 of the housing 106. As shown in FIG. 4, thedischarge section 130 of the housing 102 may include a discharge openingor seed outlet 140 for expelling seeds 118, 120 from the seed meter 100and into the associated seed tube 66 (FIG. 2) for subsequent delivery tothe furrow.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seed meter 100 may alsoinclude a drive assembly 142 for rotationally driving the seed disks104, 106. In several embodiments, the drive assembly 142 may beconfigured to simultaneously rotate the seed disks 104, 106 within thehousing 102. For instance, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, thedrive assembly 142 may include a common drive shaft(s) 144 extendingthrough the first and second seed disks 104, 106 along the axis ofrotation 108, with each seed disk 104, 106 being coupled to the shaft(s)144 for rotation therewith. In such an embodiment, the drive assembly142 may also include a rotational actuator or driver 146 coupled toshaft(s) 144 for rotationally driving the shaft(s) 144 and, thus, theseed disks 104, 106. For example, the rotational driver 146 maycorrespond to a motor, such as a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electricmotor, coupled to the shaft(s) 144 (e.g., by being coupled directly tothe shaft(s) 144 or indirectly via one or more components, such as anadapter or a gearbox). In another embodiment, the rotational driver 146may correspond to a belt-driven or chain-driven system coupled to theshaft(s) 144 via a suitable pulley(s), sprocket(s), and/or the like.

It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the operation ofone or more components of the seed meter 100 may be configured to beelectronically controlled via a suitable controller 148. For example, asshown in FIG. 3, the controller 148 may be communicatively coupled tothe vacuum source 64 for controlling the operation of the vacuum source64, thereby allowing the controller 148 to regulate the pressure withinthe vacuum chamber 122 to adjust the performance or operation of theseed meter 100. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 148 mayalso be communicatively coupled to the drive assembly 142 forcontrolling the rotational speed of the seed disks 104, 106. Forexample, when the rotational driver 146 corresponds to a motor, thecontroller 148 may be configured to control the operation of the motorto regulate the rotational speed of the seed disks 104, 106.

In general, the controller 148 may correspond to any suitableprocessor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combinationof computing devices. Thus, as shown in FIG, 3, the controller 148 mayinclude one or more processor(s) 150 and associated memory devices 152configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g.,performing the methods, steps, algorithms, calculations and the likedisclosed herein). As used herein, the term “processor” refers not onlyto integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in acomputer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, amicrocomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an applicationspecific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits.Additionally, the memory 152 may generally comprise memory elements)including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., aflash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM),a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/orother suitable memory elements. Such memory 152 may generally, beconfigured to store information accessible to the processor(s) 150,including data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created and/or storedby the processor(s) 150 and instructions that can be executed by theprocessor(s) 110.

It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the controller 148 maycorrespond to a vehicle controller of the work vehicle configured to towthe planter 20 or the controller 148 may correspond to an implementcontroller of the planter 20. Alternatively, the controller 148 may formpart of a distributed computer network that includes or is incommunication with the vehicle controller and/or the implementcontroller.

Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 4, the seed meter 100 may also includeone or more seed deflectors 160 positioned within the housing 102. Aswill be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and6, the seed deflector(s) 160 may be configured to be actuated or movedwithin the housing 102 relative to the seed disks 104, 106 to allow theseed deflector(s) 160 to serve as a means for controlling which seedtype is currently being discharged from the seed meter 100. Forinstance, when it is desired for the seed meter 100 to deliver seedsfrom the first seed chamber 110 to the furrow, the seed deflector(s) 160may be positioned relative to the first and second seed disk(s) 104, 106such that the seeds 118 conveyed by the first seed disk 104 are allowedto be rotated past the seed deflector(s) 106 and delivered to thedischarge section 130 of the housing 102 while the seeds 120 conveyed bythe second seed disk 106 are rotated into or otherwise contact a portionof the seed deflector(s) 160, thereby knocking the seeds 120 off of thesecond seed disk 106 and preventing their delivery to the dischargesection 130 of the housing 102. In such operating mode, the seeds 118 ofthe first seed type contained within the first seed chamber 110 may bedischarged from the seed meter 110 into the associated seed tube 66(FIG. 2) for delivery to the farrow while the seeds 120 of the secondseed type contained within the second seed chamber 112 may be decoupledfrom the second seed disk 106 and fall back down into the second seedchamber 112. Similarly, when it is desired for the seed meter 100 todeliver seeds from the second seed chamber 112 to the furrow, the seeddeflector(s) 160 may be positioned relative to the first and second seeddisk(s) 104, 106 such that the seeds 120 conveyed by the second seeddisk 106 are allowed to be rotated past the seed deflector(s) 160 anddelivered to the discharge section 130 of the housing 102 while theseeds 118 conveyed by the first seed disk 104 are rotated into orotherwise contact a portion of the seed deflector(s) 160, therebyknocking the seeds 118 off the first seed disk 104 and preventing theirdelivery to the discharge section 130 of the housing 102. In suchoperating mode, the seeds 120 of the second seed type contained withinthe second seed chamber 112 may he discharged from the seed meter 100into the associated seed tube 66 for delivery to the furrow while theseeds 118 of the first seed type contained within the first seed chamber110 may be decoupled from the first seed disk 104 and fall back downinto the first seed chamber 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, to allow the seed deflector(s) 160 to be actuatedrelative to the first and second seed disks 104, 106, a suitableactuator(s) 162 may be coupled to the seed deflector(s) 160. In such anembodiment, the type and configuration of the actuator(s) 162 maygenerally vary depending on the configuration of the seed deflector(s)160, including the desired type of motion for the deflector(s) 160. Forinstance, for a seed deflector(s) configured to be linearly actuatedwithin the housing 102 relative to the seed disks 104, 106, theactuator(s) 162 may correspond to any suitable linear actuator(s).Similarly, for a seed deflector(s) configured to be rotated or pivotedwithin the housing 102 relative to the seed disks 104, 106, theactuator(s) 162 may correspond to any suitable rotational actuator(s).

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, in several embodiments, the seeddeflector actuator(s) 162 may be communicatively coupled to thecontroller 148 to allow the controller 148 to control the operation ofthe actuator(s) 162, thereby permitting the controller 148 to regulatethe position of the seed deflector(s) 160 within the housing 102. As aresult, the controller 148 may be configured to automatically adjust theposition of the seed deflector(s) 160 relative to the first and secondseed disks 104, 106 based on the desired or selected seed type to bedischarged from the seed meter 100. For instance, when the controller148 determines that the first seed type should be discharged from theseed meter 100, the controller 148 may be configured to control theoperation of the actuator(s) 162 to adjust the position of the seeddeflector(s) 160 within the housing 102 in a manner that permits theseeds 118 within the first seed chamber 110 to be delivered to thedischarge section 130 of the housing 102. Similarly, when the controller148 determines that the second seed type should be discharged from theseed meter 100, the controller 148 may be configured to control theoperation of the actuator(s) 162 to adjust the position of the seeddeflector(s) 160 within the housing 102 in a manner that permits theseeds 120 within the second seed chamber 112 to be delivered to thedischarge section 130 of the housing 102. As will be described below,the selection or determination of the seed type may be made by thecontroller 148 by referencing a corresponding prescription map (FIG. 11)or based on inputs received from the operator.

It should be appreciated that, in accordance with aspects of the presentsubject matter, the disclosed seed meter 100 may form all or part of asystem 155 for switching between seed types during the performance of aplanting operation. For example, the system 155 may include the seedmeter 100 and any number of related components described herein, such asthe controller 148, the row units 28, the planter 20, and/or any othersuitable components described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a portion of the cross-sectional,schematic view of the seed meter 100 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated inaccordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularlyillustrating one embodiment of a suitable configuration of a seeddeflector 160. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates the seed deflector 160located at a first position relative to the first and second seed disks104, 106 for allowing seeds 118 contained within the first seed chamber110 to be discharged from the seed meter 100. Additionally, FIG. 6illustrates the seed deflector 160 located at a second position relativeto the first and second seed disks 104, 106 for allowing seeds 120contained within the second seed chamber 112 to be discharged from theseed meter 100.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the seed deflector 160 includes a baseportion 164 extending axially or laterally between opposed first andsecond ends 166, 168. Additionally, the seed deflector 160 includesfirst and second deflector portions 170, 172 extending outwardly fromthe opposed ends 166, 168 of the base portion 164, respectively. In suchan embodiment, the first deflector portion 170 may be configured toextend outwardly from the base portion 164 to a location proximal to aportion of the first seed disk 104. Similarly, the second deflectorportion 172 may be configured to extend outwardly from the base portion160 to a location proximal to a portion of the second seed disk 106. Aswill be described below, by linearly actuating the seed deflector 160within the housing 102, the lateral positioning of the first and seconddeflector portions 170, 172 relative to the first and second seed disks104, 106, respectively, may be adjusted to vary the seed type beingdischarged from the seed meter 100.

For instance, as shown in FIG. 5, when the seed deflector 160 is locatedat the first position relative to the seed disks 104, 106, the firstdeflector portion 170 may be spaced apart from the first seed disk 104by a given lateral spacing distance 174 while the second deflectorportion 172 may be disposed directly adjacent to the second seed disk106. In such an embodiment, the lateral spacing distance 174 may beselected such that the seeds 118 being conveyed past the seed deflector160 with rotation of the first disk 104 are allowed to pass through thespace defined between the first deflector portion 170 and the first seeddisk 104 without contacting the seed deflector 160, thereby allowing theseeds 118 to be delivered to the discharge section 130 of the housing102. In contrast, given the close spatial relationship between thesecond deflector portion 172 and the second seed disk 106 when the seeddeflector 160 is at its first position, the seeds 120 being conveyedtowards the seed deflector 160 with rotation of the seed disk 106 maycontact the second deflector portion 172 and be knocked off of the seeddisk 106, thereby preventing the seeds 120 from being delivered to thedischarge section 130 of the housing 102.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, when the seed deflector 160 is located atthe second position relative to the seed disks 104, 106, the seconddeflector portion 172 may be spaced apart from the second seed disk 106by a given lateral spacing distance 176 while the first deflectorportion 170 may be disposed directly adjacent to the first seed disk105. In such an embodiment, the lateral spacing distance 176 may beselected such that the seeds 120 being conveyed past the seed deflector160 with rotation of the second disk 106 are allowed to pass through thespace defined between the second deflector portion 172 and the secondseed disk 106 without contacting the seed deflector 160, therebyallowing the seeds 120 to be delivered to the discharge section 130 ofthe housing 102. In contrast, given the close spatial relationshipbetween the first deflector portion 170 and the first seed disk 104 whenthe seed deflector 160 is at its second position, the seeds 118 beingconveyed towards the seed deflector 160 with rotation of the seed disk104 may contact the first deflector portion 170 and be knocked off ofthe first seed disk 104, thereby preventing the seeds 118 from beingdelivered to the discharge section 130 of the housing 102.

As indicated above, a suitable actuator 162, such as a linear actuator,may be coupled to the seed deflector 160 to allow the deflector 160 tobe moved between its first and second positions. Additionally, asindicated above, the operation of the actuator 162 may be controlled,for example, via the associated controller 148 (FIG. 3) to allow thecontroller 148 to automatically adjust the position of the seeddeflector 160 relative to the first and second seed disks 104, 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, cross-sectional views of anotherembodiment of a seed deflector 260 suitable for use within the discloseddual-disk seed meter 100 are illustrated in accordance with aspects ofthe present subject matter. Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates the seeddeflector 260 located at a first position relative to the first andsecond seed disks 104, 106 for allowing seeds 118 contained within thefirst seed chamber 110 to be discharged from the seed meter 100.Additionally, FIG. 8 illustrates the seed deflector 260 located at asecond position relative to the first and second seed disks 104, 106 forallowing seeds 120 contained within the second seed chamber 112 to bedischarged from the seed meter 100.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the seed deflector 260 is configuredsimilarly to the seed deflector 160 described above with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. For example, the seed deflector 260 includes a baseportion 264 extending between opposed first and second ends 266, 268.Additionally, the seed deflector 260 includes first and second deflectorportions 270, 272 extending outwardly from the opposed ends 266, 268 ofthe base portion 264, respectively. For example, the first deflectorportion 270 may be configured to extend outwardly from the base portion260 to a location proximal to a portion of the first seed disk 104.Similarly, the second deflector portion 272 may be configured to extendoutwardly from the base portion 164 to a location proximal to a portionof the second seed disk 106. However, unlike the linearly actuated seeddeflector 160 described above, the seed deflector 260 is configured tobe pivoted relative to the seed disks 104, 106 (e.g., about a pivotpoint 278) to adjust the positioning of the first and second deflectorportions 270, 272 relative to the first and second seed disks 104, 106,respectively, thereby allowing the seed deflector 260 to be used as ameans for varying the seed type being discharged from the seed meter100.

For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, when the seed deflector 260 is pivotedto the first position relative to the seed disks 104, 106, the firstdeflector portion 270 may be spaced apart from the first seed disk 104by a given lateral spacing distance 274 while the second deflectorportion 272 may be disposed directly adjacent to the second seed disk106. In such an embodiment, the lateral spacing distance 274 may beselected such that the seeds 118 being conveyed past the seed deflector260 with rotation of the first disk 104 are allowed to pass trough thespace defined between the first deflector portion 270 and the first seeddisk 104 without contacting the seed deflector 260, thereby allowing theseeds 118 to be delivered to the discharge section 130 of the housing102. In contrast, given the close spatial relationship between thesecond deflector portion 272 and the second seed disk 106 when the seeddeflector 260 is at its first position, the seeds 120 being conveyedtowards the seed deflector 260 with rotation of the seed disk 106 maycontact the second deflector portion 272 and be knocked off of the seeddisk 106, thereby preventing the seeds 120 from being delivered to thedischarge section 130 of the housing 102.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, when the seed deflector 260 is pivoted tothe second position relative to the seed disks 104, 106, the seconddeflector portion 272 may be spaced apart from the second seed disk 106by a given lateral spacing distance 276 while the first deflectorportion 270 may be disposed directly adjacent to the first seed disk104. In such an embodiment, the lateral spacing distance 276 may beselected such that the seeds 120 being conveyed past the seed deflector260 with rotation of the second disk 106 are allowed to pass through thespace defined between the second deflector portion 272 and the secondseed disk 104 without contacting the seed deflector 260, therebyallowing the seeds 120 to be delivered to the discharge section 130 ofthe housing 102. In contrast, given the close spatial relationshipbetween the first deflector portion 270 and the first seed disk 104 whenthe seed deflector 260 is at its second position, the seeds 118 beingconveyed towards the seed deflector 260 with rotation of the first disk104 may contact the first deflector portion 270 and be knocked off ofthe seed disk 104, thereby preventing the seeds 118 from being deliveredto the discharge section 130 of the housing 102.

Similar to the embodiment described above, a suitable actuator 262, sucha rotational actuator, may be coupled to the seed deflector 260 to allowthe deflector 260 to be pivoted about the pivot point 278 between thefirst and second positions. Additionally, as indicated above, theoperation of the actuator 262 may be controlled via the associatedcontroller 148 (FIG. 3) to allow the controller 148 to automaticallyadjust the position of the seed deflector 260 relative to the first andsecond seed disks 104, 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, cross-sectional views of a furtherembodiment of seed deflectors suitable for use within the discloseddual-disk seed meter 100 are illustrated in accordance with aspects ofthe present subject matter, particularly illustrating the seed meter 100including first and second seed deflectors 360A, 360B configured to bemoved relative to the first and second seed disks 104, 106,respectively. Specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates the first seed deflector360A located at a first position relative to the first seed disk 104 forallowing seeds 118 contained within the first seed chamber 110 to bedischarged from the seed meter 100 while the second seed deflector 360Bis located at a second position relative to the second seed disk 106 toprevent seeds 120 contained within the second seed chamber 112 frombeing discharged from the seed meter 100. Additionally, FIG. 10illustrates the first seed deflector 360A located at a second positionrelative to the first seed disk 104 to prevent seeds 118 containedwithin the first seed chamber 110 from being discharged from the seedmeter 100 while the second seed deflector 360B is located at a firstposition relative to the second seed disk 104 for allowing seeds 120contained within the second seed chamber 112 to be discharged from theseed meter 100.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, unlike the embodiments described above, eachseed disk 104, 106 is provided in operative association with a separateseed deflector 360A, 360B for controlling whether the seeds 118, 120conveyed by each respective disk 104, 106 are allowed to be dischargedfrom the seed meter 100. Specifically, the seed meter 100 includes afirst seed deflector 360A movable relative to the first seed disk 104between a first position (FIG. 9), at which the first seed deflector360A is spaced apart from the first seed disk by a given lateral spacingdistance 374 such that the seeds 118 being conveyed past the seeddeflector 360A with rotation of the first disk 104 are allowed to passthrough the space defined between the first seed deflector 360A and thefirst seed disk 104 without contacting the seed deflector 360A, and asecond position (FIG. 10), at which the first seed deflector 360A isdisposed directly adjacent to the first seed disk 104 such that theseeds 118 being conveyed towards the seed deflector 360A with rotationof the seed disk 104 contact the first seed deflector 360A and areknocked off of the seed disk 104. Additionally, the seed meter 100includes a second seed deflector 360B movable relative to the secondseed disk 106 between a first position (FIG. 10), at which the secondseed deflector 360B is spaced apart from the second seed disk 106 by agiven lateral spacing distance 376 such that the seeds 120 beingconveyed past the seed deflector 360B with rotation of the second disk106 are allowed to pass through the space defined between the secondseed deflector 360B and the second seed disk 106 without contacting theseed deflector 36B, and a second position (FIG. 9), at which the secondseed deflector 360B is disposed directly adjacent to the second seeddisk 106 such that the seeds 120 being conveyed towards the seeddeflector 360B with rotation of the seed disk 106 contact the secondseed deflector 360B and are knocked off of the seed disk 106.

With the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the positions of theseparate seed deflectors 360A, 360B may be adjusted to allow theselected seed type to be discharged from the seed meter 100. Forexample, when the selected seed type corresponds to the first seed type,the seed deflectors 360A, 360B may be moved to the positions shown inFIG. 9 (e.g. with the first seed deflector 360A at its first positionand the second seed deflector 360B at its second position) to allow theseeds 118 from the first seed chamber 110 to be discharged from themeter 100 while the seeds 120 from the second seed chamber 112 areknocked off of the second seed disk 106 via the second seed 360B.Similarly, when the selected seed type corresponds to the second seedtype, the seed deflectors 360A, 360B may be moved to the positions shownin FIG. 10 (e.g. with the first seed deflector 360A at its secondposition and the second seed deflector 360B at its first position) toallow the seeds 120 from the second seed chamber 112 to be dischargedfrom the meter 100 while the seeds 118 from the first seed chamber 120are knocked off of the first seed disk 104 via the first seed deflector360A.

Similar to the embodiments described above, a suitable actuator(s) 362may be coupled to each seed deflector 360A, 360B to allow the deflectors360A, 360b to be actuated between their first and second positions. Asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in one embodiment, each deflector 360A, 360Bmay be coupled to a separate actuator 362. Alternatively, a commonactuator 362 may be coupled to the seed deflectors 360A, 360B foractuating the deflectors 360A, 360B to be actuated between their firstand second positions. Additionally, as indicated above, the operation ofthe actuator(s) 362 may be controlled via the associated controller 148(FIG. 3) to allow the controller 148 to automatically adjust theposition of each seed deflector 360A, 360B relative to its correspondingseed disk 104, 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, cross-sectional views of yet anotherembodiment of seed deflectors suitable for use within the discloseddual-disk seed meter 100 are illustrated in accordance with aspects ofthe present subject matter, particularly illustrating the seed meter 100including both a first pair of seed deflectors (e.g., first upper andlower seed deflectors 460A, 461A) and a second pair of seed deflectors(e.g., second upper and lower seed deflectors 460B, 461B) configured tobe moved relative to the first and second seed disks 104, 106,respectively. Specifically, FIG. 11 illustrates the first pair of seeddeflectors 460A, 461A located at suitable first positions relative tothe first seed disk 104 for allowing seeds 118 contained within thefirst seed chamber 110 to be discharged from the seed meter 100 whilethe second pair of seed deflectors 460B, 461B are located at suitablesecond positions relative to the second seed disk 106 to prevent seeds120 contained within the second seed chamber 112 from being dischargedfrom the seed meter 100. Additionally, FIG. 12 illustrates the firstpair of seed deflectors 460A, 461A located at suitable second positionsrelative to the first seed disk 104 to prevent seeds 118 containedwithin the first seed chamber 110 from being discharged from the seedmeter 100 while the second pair of seed deflectors 460B, 461B arelocated at suitable first positions relative to the second seed disk 104for allowing seeds 120 contained within the second seed chamber 112 tobe discharged from the seed meter 100.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, similar to the embodiment described abovewith reference, to FIGS. 9 and 10, each seed disk 104, 106 is providedin operative association with separate seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A,461B for controlling whether the seeds 118, 120 conveyed by eachrespective disk 104, 106 are allowed to be discharged from the seedmeter 100. Specifically, the seed meter 100 includes first upper andlower seed deflectors 460A, 461A movable radially inwardly and outwardlyrelative to the first seed disk 104 between a first position (FIG. 11),at which the first upper and lower seed deflectors 460A, 461A are spacedradially apart from the location of the seed cells 128 of the first seeddisk 104 (e.g., by aligning the upper and lower seed deflectors 460A,461A at the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the seed cells 128)such that the seeds 118 being conveyed past the seed deflectors 460A,461A with rotation of the first disk 104 are allowed to pass through theradial space defined between the first upper and lower seed deflectors460A, 461A without contacting either deflector 460A, 461A, and a secondposition (FIG. 12), at which one or both of the first upper and lowerseed deflectors 460A, 461A radially overlap the radial location of theseed cells 128 such that the seeds 118 being conveyed towards suchdeflector(s) 460A, 461A with rotation of the seed disk 104 contact thedeflector(s) 460A, 461A and are knocked off of the seed disk 104.Additionally, the seed meter 100 includes second upper and lower seeddeflectors 460B, 461B movable relative to the second seed disk 106between a first position (FIG. 12), at which the second upper and lowerseed deflectors 460B, 461B are spaced radially apart from the locationof the seed cells 128 of the second seed disk 106 (e.g., by aligning theupper and lower seed deflectors 460B, 461B at the upper and lower edges,respectively, of the seed cells 128) such that the seeds 120 beingconveyed past the seed deflectors 460B, 461B with rotation of the seconddisk 106 are allowed to pass through the radial space defined betweenthe seed deflectors 460B, 461B without contacting either deflector 460B,461B, and a second position (FIG. 11), at which one or both of thesecond upper and lower seed deflectors 460B, 461B radially overlap theradial location of the seed cells 128 such that the seeds 120 beingconveyed towards the such seed deflector(s) 460B, 461B with rotation ofthe seed disk 106 contact the deflector(s) 460B, 461B and are knockedoff of the seed disk 106.

With the configuration shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the positions of thepairs of seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B may be adjusted to allowthe selected seed type to be discharged from the seed meter 100. Forexample, when the selected seed type corresponds to the first seed type,the seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B may be moved to the positionsshown in FIG. 11 (e.g. with the first upper and lower seed deflectors460A, 461A at their first positions and the second upper and lower seeddeflectors 460B, 461B at their second positions) to allow the seeds 118from the first seed chamber 110 to be discharged from the meter 100while the seeds 120 from the second seed chamber 112 are knocked off ofthe second seed disk 106 via one or both of the second seed deflectors460B, 461B. Similarly, when the selected seed type corresponds to thesecond seed type, the seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B may bemoved to the positions shown in FIG. 12 (e.g. with the first upper andlower seed deflectors 460A, 461A at their second positions and thesecond upper and lower seed deflectors 460B, 461B at their firstpositions) to allow the seeds 120 from the second seed chamber 112 to bedischarged from the meter 100 while the seeds 118 from the first seedchamber 120 are knocked off of the first seed disk 104 via one or bothof the first seed deflectors 460A, 461A.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, when each pair of seeddeflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B is moved to the second position, bothseed deflector of such pair are shown as radially overlapping thelocation of the seed cells 128. However, in other embodiments, only oneof the seed deflectors (e.g., either the upper or lower deflector ofeach pair) may be configured to be actuated to the second position todeflect seeds from the associated seed disk. In such an embodiment, theother seed deflector may be maintained at its first position.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lowerdeflectors of each pair of seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B areshown as being circumferentially aligned with each other in relation tothe adjacent seed disk. However, in other embodiments, the upper andlower deflectors of each pair of seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461Bmay be circumferentially offset from each other relative to the adjacentseed disk such that the seed cells 128 of such disk encounter one of theseed deflectors prior to the other with rotation of the disk.

Moreover, it should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, each pair ofseed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B may also be configured tofunction as a singulator for the seed meter 100. For instance, when atthe first position, each pair of seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461Bmay be configured to disposed relative to the seed cells 128 of theadjacent seed disk (e.g., at locations adjacent to the upper and loweredges of the cells 128) so as prevent more than one seed from passingthrough the radial space defined between the adjacent deflectors. Insuch an embodiment, a radial distance 474 defined between each pair ofseed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B when at their first position maybe selected as corresponding to a suitable singulation distance for thespecific seed type being conveyed by each seed disk.

Referring still to FIGS. 11 and 12, similar to the embodiments describedabove, a suitable actuator(s) 462 may be coupled to each seed deflector460A, 460B, 461A, 461B to allow the deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B tobe actuated between their first and second positions. As shown in FIGS.11 and 12, in one embodiment, each deflector 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B maybe coupled to a separate actuator 462. Alternatively, a common actuator462 may be coupled to each pair of seed deflectors 460A, 460B, 461A,461B for actuating the deflectors between their first and secondpositions. Additionally, as indicated above, the operation of theactuator(s) 462 may be controlled via the associated controller 148(FIG, 3) to allow the controller 148 to automatically adjust theposition of each seed deflector 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B relative to itscorresponding seed disk 104, 106.

As indicated above, in one embodiment, the controller 148 may beconfigured to adjust the position of the seed deflector(s) 160, 260,360A, 360B, 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B based on a prescription map storedwithin its memory 152. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates an example viewof a seed type or variety prescription map PM. As shown, theprescription map PM indicates which type or variety zones VZ1, VZ2 arewhere in the agricultural field and which seed types can be planted inthe variety zones VZ1, VZ2. As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, thefirst seed type 118 is shown as being acceptable for use in variety zoneVZ1, corresponding to recommended variety A. Similarly, the second seedtype 120 is shown as acceptable for use in variety zone VZ2;corresponding to a recommended variety B. In such an embodiment, theoperator may input into the controller 148 which seed type 118, 120 isstored in each seed:tank 30 and/or hopper 58, 60 through a suitable userinterface. The controller 148 may then automatically control theoperation of the seed meter 100, including adjusting the position of theseed deflector(s) 160, 260, 360A, 360B, 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B withinthe housing 100, based on the prescription map to ensure that theappropriate seed type is planted at each location across the field. Forexample, as is generally understood, the controller 148 may becommunicatively coupled to a GPS-device or other suitable positioningdevice that allows the controller 148 to monitor the position of theplanter 20 within the field. Thus, by determining via the GPS data thatthe planter 20 is moving across a boundary defined between variety zonesrequiring differing seed types to be planted, the controller 148 mayautomatically adjust the position of the seed deflector(s) 160, 260,360A, 360B, 460A, 460B, 461A, 461B to immediately switch or transitionto the required seed type.

Alternatively, the controller 148 may be configured to switch betweendifferent seed types based on inputs received from the operator. Forinstance, the operator may be utilize a suitable input device (e.g., aninput device located within the cab of the vehicle towing the planter20) to instruct the controller 148 to switch between seed types. In suchinstance, the operator may be provide the input based on a visualassessment of the location of the planter 20 within the field or basedon any other suitable data available to the operator. For example, inone embodiment, a prescription map (e.g., similar to the map PM shown inFIG. 13) may be displayed to the operator to allow him/her to determinewhen to instruct the controller 148 to switch the seed type beingdelivered via the seed meter 100.

As indicated above, the present subject matter is also directed to amethod for switching between seed types during a planting operationusing utilizing one or more embodiments of the dual-disk seed meterdescribed herein. For instance, in one embodiment, the method mayinclude rotating first and second seed disks within a housing of a seedmeter and positioning at least one seed deflector within the housingsuch that first seeds of a first seed type conveyed by the first seeddisk remain coupled to the first seed disk for discharge from the seedmeter and second seeds of a second seed type conveyed by the second seeddisk contact the seed deflector(s) and fall back down into the secondseed chamber. Additionally, the method may include adjusting theposition of the seed deflector(s) within the housing when switching fromthe first seed type to the second seed type such that the second seedsremain coupled to the second seed disk for discharge from the seed meterand the first seeds contact the seed deflector(s) and fall back downinto the first seed chamber.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual-disk seed meter for a planter, the seedmeter comprising: a housing defining a first seed chamber configured toreceive a plurality of first seeds of a first seed type and a secondseed chamber configured to receive a plurality of second seeds of asecond seed type; a first seed disk rotatable within the housing toconvey the first seeds from the first seed chamber; a second seed diskrotatable within the housing to convey the second seeds from the secondseed chamber; a drive assembly configured to simultaneously rotate thefirst and second seed disks relative to the housing; and a seeddeflector movable relative to at least one the first seed disk or thesecond seed disk to control which of the first and second seed types isdischarged from the housing based on a selected seed type to bedelivered by the seed meter.
 2. The seed meter of claim 1, wherein, whenthe selected seed type is the first seed type, the seed deflector ismoveable to a first position such that the first seeds remain coupled tothe first seed disk as the first seeds are conveyed past the seeddeflector with rotation of the first seed disk, and wherein, when theselected seed type is the second seed type, the seed deflector ismoveable to a second position such that the first seeds conveyed towardsthe seed deflector with rotation of the first seed disk contact the seeddeflector and fall back down into the first seed chamber.
 3. The seedmeter of claim 2, wherein, when in the first position, the seeddeflector is disposed relative to the second seed disk such that thesecond seeds conveyed towards the seed deflector with rotation of thesecond seed disk contact the seed deflector and fall back down into thesecond seed chamber and, when in the second position, the seed deflectoris disposed relative to the second seed disk such that the second seedsremain coupled to the second seed disk as the second seeds are conveyedpast the seed deflector with rotation of the second seed disk.
 4. Theseed meter of claim 3, wherein the seed deflector includes a firstdeflector portion configured to be positioned relative to the first seeddisk and a second deflector portion configured to be positioned relativeto the second seed disk.
 5. The seed meter of claim 4, wherein, when theseed deflector is at the first position, the first deflector portion isspaced apart from the first seed disk a spacing distance to allow thefirst seeds to pass by the first deflector portion with rotation of thefirst seed disk without contacting the first deflector portion and thesecond deflector portion is positioned directly adjacent to the secondseed disk such that the second seeds conveyed towards the seconddeflector portion with rotation of the second seed disk contact thesecond deflector portion and fall back down into the second seedchamber.
 6. The seed meter of claim 4, wherein, when the seed deflectoris at the second position, the first deflector portion is positioneddirectly adjacent to the first seed disk such that the first seedsconveyed towards the first deflector portion with rotation of the firstseed disk contact the first deflector portion and fall back down intothe first seed chamber and the second deflector portion is spaced apartfrom the second seed disk a spacing distance to allow the second seedsto pass by the second deflector portion with rotation of the first seeddisk without contacting the second deflector portion.
 7. The seed meterof claim 2, wherein the seed deflector corresponds to a first seeddeflector movable relative to the first seed disk between the first andsecond positions and further comprising a second seed deflector movablerelative to the second seed disk between third and fourth positions. 8.The seed meter of claim 7, wherein, when the selected seed type is thefirst seed type, the second seed deflector is moved to the thirdposition such that the second seeds conveyed towards the second seeddeflector with rotation of the second seed disk contact the second seeddeflector and fall back down into the second seed chamber, and wherein,when the selected seed type is the second seed type, the second seeddeflector is moved to the fourth position such that the second seedsremain coupled to the second seed disk as the second seeds are conveyedpast the second seed deflector with rotation of the second seed disk, 9.The seed meter of claim 2, wherein the seed deflector corresponds to afirst upper seed deflector movable relative to the first seed disk,further comprising a first lower seed deflector movable relative to thefirst seed disk, the first upper and lower seed deflectors configured tobe spaced radially apart from each other when at the first position. 10.A system for switching between seed types during a planting operation,the system comprising: a seed meter including a housing defining a firstseed chamber configured to receive a plurality of first seeds of a firstseed type and a second seed chamber configured to receive a plurality ofsecond seeds of a second seed type, the seed meter further including afirst seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the first seedsfrom the first seed chamber and a second seed disk rotatable within thehousing to convey the second seeds from the second seed chamber; a seeddeflector positioned within the housing and movable relative to at leastone the first seed disk or the second seed disk; a controller configuredto control movement of the seed deflector within the housing based on aselected seed type to be discharged from the seed meter, wherein, whenthe selected seed type is the first seed type, the controller isconfigured to move the seed deflector to a first position such that thefirst seeds remain coupled to the first seed disk as the first seeds areconveyed past the seed deflector with rotation of the first seed disk,wherein, when the selected seed type is the second seed type, thecontroller is configured to move the seed deflector to a second positionsuch that the first seeds conveyed towards the seed deflector withrotation of the first seed disk contact the seed deflector and fall backdown into the first seed chamber.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinthe controller is configured to determine the selected seed type used ona prescription map stored within memory of the controller.
 12. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to determinethe selected seed type based on an input received from an operator. 13.The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is communicativelycoupled to an actuator configured to actuate the seed deflector betweenthe first and second positions based on control signals received fromthe controller.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein, when in the firstposition, the seed deflector is disposed relative to the second seeddisk such that the second seeds conveyed towards the seed deflector withrotation of the second seed disk contact the seed deflector and fallback down into the second seed chamber and, when in the second position,the seed deflector is disposed relative to the second seed disk suchthat the second seeds remain coupled to the second seed disk as thesecond seeds are conveyed past the seed deflector with rotation of thesecond seed disk.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the seed deflectorcorresponds to a first seed deflector movable relative to the first seeddisk between the first and second positions and further comprising asecond seed deflector movable relative to the second seed disk betweenthird and fourth positions.
 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the seeddeflector corresponds to a first upper seed deflector movable relativeto the first seed disk, further comprising a first lower seed deflectormovable relative to the first seed disk, the first upper and lower seeddeflectors configured to be spaced radially apart from each other whenat the first position.
 17. A method for switching between seed typesduring a planting operation, the method comprising: rotating first andsecond seed disks within a housing of a seed meter, the housing defininga first seed chamber configured to receive a plurality of first seeds ofa first seed type and a second seed chamber configured to receive aplurality of second seeds of a second seed type, the first seed diskbeing rotated to convey the first seeds from the first seed chamber, thesecond seed disk being rotated to convey the second seeds from thesecond seed chamber; positioning at least one seed deflector within thehousing such that the first seeds remain coupled to the first seed diskfor discharge from the seed meter and the second seeds contact the atleast one seed deflector and fall back down into the second seedchamber; and adjusting the position of the at least one seed deflectorwithin the housing when switching from the first seed type to the secondseed type such that the second seeds remain coupled to the second seeddisk for discharge from the seed meter and the first seeds contact theat least one seed deflector and fall back down into the first seedchamber.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining toswitch an output of the seed meter from the first seed type to thesecond seed type based on a prescription map prior to adjusting theposition of the at least one seed deflector.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein positioning at least one seed deflector within the housingcomprises: positioning a first seed deflector relative to the first seeddisk such that the first seeds remain coupled to the first seed disk fordischarge from the seed meter; and positioning a second seed deflectorrelative to the second seed disk such that the second seeds contact thesecond deflector and fall back down into the second seed chamber. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting the position of the at leastone seed deflector within the housing when switching from the first seedtype to the second seed type comprises: adjusting the position of thefirst seed deflector relative to the first seed disk such that the firstseeds contact the first deflector and fall back down into the first seedchamber; and adjusting the position of the second seed deflectorrelative to the second seed disk such that the second seeds remaincoupled to the second seed disk for discharge from the seed meter.